RP:Xicotl Frostmaw Battle: The Aftermath

Part of the Dissonance Theory Arc

This is a Warrior's Guild RP.

Summary: The post battle debriefing where Kasyr says we need to clean up and rebuild Frostmaw, and everyone asks "Do we have to?".

A Broken City Center, Frostmaw

Kasyr peers over the edge of the crater, the yawning maw which had swallowed so much of the city center. It was hard to ascertain just how the city of war was going to deal with the aftermath, and yet, one thing was certain. Without the looming threat of an endless tide of Thralls, people were returning to their homes. . . or the ruins which served as their sole reminder. "Well- I don't think this warrants any triumphant speeches about an unprecedented success." There's a gruff throat clearing from behind him at the comment, though he fails to turn around- his attention narrowing at the rubble which had accumulated at the bottom. Some brave souls were even now trying to excavate things of note, or search for survivors- having failed to learn from the last group who vanished. After all, whilst the crux of the rubble may have found some semblance of equilibrium- it was a precarious balance. One made all the worse given a particular pocket of space which sank ever lower, day by day, due to the formidable and altogether unnatural weight contained within a certain artifact. "Well, I'm not seeing anything new- so that's good. How are you faring, at least?" That bit of civility aside, the Revenant makes an offhanded gesture, coaxing a rather large arrow of ebon energy into existence, the words 'Warriors, City Center' accompanying it's short-lived appearance.

Kasyr ||Off to the side, a smoldering half-feline woman is laying on a stone bench. From what skin is visible, her arms and hands are sorely red from burns, and a cloth covers her face to obscure it. A frost giant crouches next to her, using giant-sized tweezers to delicately place a cold back on her head. When Kasyr calls to her to ask how she's doing, a full triceps extension is done from the resting Karasu, prominently displaying an obscene finger gesture. It would seem she has not forgiven him just yet for involuntarily turning her into a living firecracker, but she is listening, and that's a start.

Krice stayed a few metres away from the group, dressed in black robes befitting the frosty climate, with his white katana strapped to his back. He has arrived atop his wyvern, who lurked just behind him with her head low and still to listen. Her playfulness was not on display this time, due to the weight of recent events and the atmosphere that hung over Frostmaw. The warrior kept to himself as the others spoke, listening from afar, but cast a brief speculative glance over Kailani to gauge her level of recovery from the battle. Gylworliath nudged him gently and he turned to lean into her, resting his left side against her right flank. Otherwise, his engagement in the group was minimal, focus often drawn to the workers nearby in subconscious tracking of whether or not they needed help.

Kailani flew into the city of Frostmaw on the back of a large white griffin who has black wings. She was often seen in his company, but today traveling with Grimclaw was the only way she was able to convince Orion that she would be okay to head back to Frostmaw. See, Kai was able to recover enough that she was mobile, though there was still a lot of healing to be done. How much would be hard to tell for the blue-haired druid remains bundled up within a heavy and hooded cloak made of bearskin. She also remains nestled safely on the back of the griffin, half-huddled into him for extra warmth. Were it not for her chosen companion and the flash of bright blue-hair peeking out beneath the furry hood, she might be slightly harder to recognize.

Noah arrives at the designated location at the appropriate time as he loathes tardiness and is often prepared well in advance. The man sports a fur lined parka, thick wool-lined pants, and boots designed for this specific terrain. Despite all his efforts to keep warm, the chill still seeps into his bones. Noah’s in great need of a shave and a warm beverage but those will have to wait as he has a meeting to attend. The man is exhausted and there’s a noticeable limp in his gait, nevertheless he trudged onwards to the group of those gathered. Hazel eyes are drawn to the cat-human hybrid that lies on a slab, and he wonders if she’s in costume or one of those ‘feline’ races he’s read about. These lands are downright confusing. He briefly scans the area in hopes to see the triage party that he had been a part of, but the only familiar face he sees is Krice. The seasoned warrior is given a nod before Noah crosses over to stand near him, as the rest here are strangers.

Khitti didn’t exactly look pleased when she rolled up to where Kasyr and the others had been gathered seeing as how she’d had to be dragged out of bed to go, her sleeplessness giving her some lovely dark circles around her eyes. There were cuts and bruises aplenty that could be seen and likely more serious wounds beneath, and her darkly-clad half-elf assistant, Camina, made her way alongside the redhead, just in case something befell her and Khitti needed to be hauled back to the fort. Sure, Khitt could’ve gone, and might’ve been a little better off, but even though the shapeshifting magic wasn’t hers, it still gave Khitti a headache to shift with the bracelet’s help when she was this out of it. She found a tree to lean up against, then briefly looked around before her attention settled on the revenant.

Mathollak arrives, slouching on the back of Horse IV, a strong and brave looking beast. Spending two days doing nothing but recuperating hasn’t returned him from the unhealth brought about by the Dark Mother’s boons. He normally never imbibes two in one day, and this was the cost. He slowly, cautiously, gingerly dismounts. He peers into the massive crater, before turning his pallid and sunken face toward Kasyr. “We did more than those idiots in the prophecy did,” he says, fully aware that most of the people around him were those same idiots.

Karasu lifts the cloth slightly to quip, "There's no such things as prophecies, Mathollak."

Mathollak said, "That's right," he says with a sneeze. He wraps his heavy cloak around him tighter. "And we proved it!"

Kasyr looks at those gathered, the tattered few who were still here at the end. Perhaps, at some later point, he'd go over the list of personnel with Khitti, and find out how many had simply -dissapeared- in the midst of the operation, who'd been lain low in Frostmaws streets, who'd gone missing in the chaos, or swallowed up by the earth itself. But for now, he owed their battered bodies and weary spirits an overdue respite. Mathollak's quip serves as the perfect start, too. "That's right, It's done. I've been keeping vigil for the last few days, and -nothing- has stirred. The thralls have been all but inexistent, and the sole movement within the pit has been the city settling itself." There's a pause as he allows the words to sink in before he simply adds, "As daunting a task as it was, we've won. By virtue of strength of arms, as well as through the knowledge we'd ascertained by both our forebears, and the diligence of our research team. " And the terrible sacrifice of a small town. The thought has him pursing his lips, his fingers fumbling for a smoke before he absently mindedly reaches over and lights it off Karasus' still smouldering form- seemingly heedless of the fact that it's apt to earn him an almost instantaneous clawed reprisal. It's still worth it- less for the nicotine, which no longer provides much, and more for the calming nature of the ritual itself, "That said, our work isn't finished. While we no longer have an ensouled Salad to contend with- there's the aftermath. There's a city to rebuild, if some amongst you wish to volunteer, and work with the residents here. There's wounds to tend to, trauma's to talk through, "Noah is given a meaningful look there, " and potentially dangerous residue to catalogue et contain." It's this last comment that has the Kensai casting a look back over to the expansive crater, "Because I've seen this too many times. Entities of this scale. Godthings. Et destroying or sealing their remains always seems to be the best option." And then his attention flicks back to the group, "That's not all we have left to do. We need to restructure. The chaos of what happened in Lionel's absence. We can't have that again. We need to be able to function as an army. We need to be ready for the next thing, wherever, et whatever it is. Et I need you to keep me aware of things as they stir." There's something else on the tip of the swordsmans tongue, but it's hard to voice the words, his gaze slipping between Karasu, Khitti & Krice as he mulls over the potential repercussions.

Krice observed Noah's approach with half-lidded eyes and a neutral expression, but he reciprocates the greeting with an equivocal nod. The last time they met, the enigma had been in grim condition. A couple of weeks' bed rest, isolation from the world, superhuman ability to heal, and the devotion of a green-eyed elf ensured that he was able to come to this meeting. Gylworliath lifted her head to flare nostrils in Noah's direction, but she was otherwise watchful of her rider, who leaned heavily into her for support. Hands in his pockets and left foot crossed in front of the other ankle, he at least appeared relatively casual and relaxed. Krice almost slipped into his own thoughts but for the tone - and subsequent silence - of Kasyr's latter words. He looked over at the revenant, brow furrowed thoughtfully, and waited to see if he'd give voice to his unspoken thoughts without prompt.

Kailani did not have the social sort of personality even when she was feeling well, but given her state and level of exhaustion, she is feeling particularly reclusive. Even the people that she would normally give some amount of greeting to are left alone, Kai just wanted to exist in relative solitude right now. Kailani was at least listening to what Kasyr has to say, though it is hard to gauge her willingness. The druid is always on the quiet side, but she usually at least speaks up to volunteer where she can. Today she does not.

Noah studiously looks at Kasyr, assuming that he’s the man in charge and the one that he had corresponded with before making his way to Frostmaw. Should he go over and introduce himself? It doesn’t seem the time or place to do such a thing, so he refrains, but hopes they can each put a face to the name in the near future. The injured feline lifts the cloth to speak of prophecies and his lips twitch in the telltale expression of a smirk. So many had died or been wounded and the group seems to be in a somber yet celebratory mood. It reminds Noah of his old days as a mercenary, the camaraderie after a successful mission. He’s now more ‘warrior’ than mercenary but there are days that he longs for things to be simpler. A conscience is a heavy thing to carry and often gets one into dangerous situations. Kasyr addresses the group and pulls him from his thoughts of the past and he gives the male his undivided attention. Although he has no ties to Frostmaw, he makes it a point to reply with a firm nod, “I will help rebuild and repair.” Noah stands tall and his voice carries over the sound of the wind, but he doesn’t speak at length or aim to draw attention to himself. Perhaps others will follow his lead and also volunteer? The psychiatrist doesn’t need to look for affirmation from Krice, because he knows that he’s a moral man and will assist wherever he’s needed.

Karasu uncovers her face, having missed smacking Kasyr's precious cigarette by mere millimeters. There's a growl from pain as the spellblade sits up and turns her head to look at the other Warrior's Guild members, revealing a nasty blister from the burns just under her cheekbone. "There's nothing to talk about. Half of the people here would rather sword-fight by themselves than coordinate with others. No offense." Karasu adds after just offending more than half the guild. "If you need structures, go ask the Carpenter's Guild. And ah, I'm not actually a member, I just came to help out. Now look at me." She says as she looks down to withdraw a salve from her bag. Under her breath, she adds, "Traumas aren't real either."

Khitti || All of this was expected, of course. After a world-ending scenario, there was always the rebuilding. Khitti had wondered if he’d restructure the guild, and now she had her answer. She’d likely help where she could with both, but she’d probably let most of it be on the shoulders of the lower ranks, if only because there were still things in Cenril to contend with. Karasu and Mathollak would get a roll of her eyes, but it’s that look on Kasyr’s face that drew her away from her thoughts and the way he looked at Krice and Karasu as well. No. Not here. Do -not- bring it up here. Camina’s dark brows furrowed at Khitti as the redhead shook her head at Kasyr, trying to give him a look that said ‘please don’t let that out here’. She knew what it was. What it had to be. -Quintessa-. “There’s a foreman that’s been helping build some things out in Cenril, and Sage too, I believe. He’s been building Khitt’s restaurant. His name is Xiembantointh. He might be able to help with the rebuilding here,” she said at length, trying to keep the already spoken concerns on topic so that Kasyr couldn’t hopefully say anything about what had happened at the Xalious Tree. She pushed herself off the tree and shuffled slowly over to Karasu and peered down at the feline as she laid there, “You don’t want to help, then fine. He asked for volunteers; he’s not forcing you.” Despite her harsh tone and obvious mom voice, the redhead summoned up a bit of her light magic, the rainbow-y, plasma-y substance pulled and stretched like it was clay. “Put this on your burns before I give you some -real- trauma to deal with.” She ripped the now cloth-like bandage in two, and gave a bit of a motion to indicate that she can stretch it as large as she needed it.

Mathollak didn’t seem to enthused, but that’s just the sickness. “Oh I have a few friends who would -love- the chance to rebuild this place!” He shivered continuously, despite the heavy cloak, but so did a bead of sweat roll down his brow. “The best part is, they’re all so close! I’ll get word to them soon and we’ll uh, clear away some of this mess.” He returns his gaze to the abyss. “Not sure what to do about this, though…You think if we just push all the bodies in it’ll reach the top?” How morbid. Too morbid? “Of course we’d drag a rug over it or…something.” This ball of fire was particularly spicy, and Mathollak didn’t know who it was. His eye lingered on her for a minute, before looking to the rest of them. “Is anyone going to help this... person?”

Kasyr is, in a sense, grateful for Khitti's visceral reaction- if only because it makes the decision for him to keep quiet that much easier. Later, then- though no doubt it would still need to be addressed to one of the other affected parties. In the interim- well, the sense of weariness that exuded from Kailani served as an excellent reason to further clarify his statement, " "Those who do volunteer for rebuilding around here will be compensated for their time and effort- . . ." There's a glance over towards Khitti & Mathollak, as the gears in the swordsmans head turn, "And I'll also be seeing about seeking what remains of the local government. Given the current clime, and the ever looming possibilities of exile interference, They may pursue aid in keeping the peace during this tumultous time. If anyone would be inclined to stay et keep an eye on things, I'd certainly appreciate volunteers on this front as well." It helped to have an estimate when you decided to offer mercenary work at a slight upcharge due to the severity of an incident. They had guild expenses to keep on top of, after all. "Anyways. That's the long of it. The short is- Hooray, we're alive. Onto the next problem- Which es mostly going to be going over paperwork, et updating the unclaimed jobs which.. uh." Yeah, that's a good point. How -are- some of those jobs going. There was that cult ni Chartsend? ...Wasn't there a Froad somewhere....? Maybe? Uh. "...If anyone has something they'd like to add on, now's the time."

Krice took no offence to what was true; he was a lone warrior who worked with the guild only when world-altering events required a coordinated effort by the strongest in the lands. That didn't mean he wasn't capable of helping the city rebuild, which he would do as soon as he didn't need to lean against a wyvern to remain upright. Gylworliath gave his leg another nudge to make sure he didn't pass out, and he muttered 'I know' under his breath, a little irritably. Once Kasyr seemed to conclude the meeting, Krice perked just a little and turned toward his wyvern, who responded by dipping a shoulder to help her weary rider atop her back. One settled, he said to Kasyr, " Whatever you were gonna say, make sure it's said if it needs to be." That was his add-on. Turning, Gylworliath took a few steps from the group before she'd unfurl her wings and ascend into the sky, level and steady.

Kailani shifted her gaze to the sky as various guild members spoke in turn after Kasyr. The druid was trying to gauge how long ago she had arrived, as the tone of some of the guild members seems to be rather critical. Possibly of Kailani’s own efforts? The druid could not entirely be sure which half Karasu spoke of. Regardless, this would not be the first time she has seen this happen at a meeting, but her response is the same. Kailani would disengage, especially since she had already determined she was not keen on much in the way of rebuilding. Oh and now Kasyr is going on about having communications with the local government? That is also a bunch of nope in Kailani’s book. Kailani whispers the brief statement of, “Let’s go home.” Those were the only instructions the griffin needed for him to start beating his black wings and carrying Kai in the general direction of up. The pair were soon high in the sky and flying off in the direction of Venturil.

Noah sighs and shakes his head in mild concern for Karasu’s condition, both mental and physical. She obviously had been through a lot and was losing her faith. Many were afflicted with emotional distress in varying severities because of what happened and he doesn’t blame the scorched feline for feeling this way. Noah feels compelled to offer her his services, of course, but now isn’t the proper time. He can’t very well suggest that a member needs psychiatric treatment in front of the group. Confidentiality clause and all that. A redhead mentions a construction worker by the name of ‘Xiembantointh’ and he mentally jots that down for later use. He needs to build a few holding cells at his practice for the patients that are in danger of hurting themselves or others. Speaking of those that should be secured under lock and key, Mathollak uses his sick sense of humor as a coping method and Noah narrows his gaze on the male. It’s too soon for jokes of that nature. Noah levels his gaze on Kasyr as he speaks about offering compensation to those that help the cause in Frostmaw and he nods, reassuring the group and himself that he will help to rebuild. The people and the land need help and he will do it mostly for that reason, though of course a bit of coin goes a long way, too. Should anyone in the group need to get in touch with him, they can address a letter to his office in Cenril. Or perhaps, they need not look far at all, as Noah Atwood will be found in his free time tending to the needs in Frostmaw. The man is as good as his word. Krice and Kailani mount their flyers and vacate the area, and sensing that he should leave, Noah offers a curt nod to those that glance his way before he turns and heads back to the local Inn where he will spend the night.

Karasu gives a complaining low growl to Khitti, which is promptly cut off as she's handed the otherwordly bandages. Despite the time that had passed, Karasu was still too preoccupied with what had occurred in the frozen maw to recognize the glances being pointed at her between Kasyr and Khitti. Mathollak's idea of a joke is initially met with a look of apprehension at the ill-timing, but to her own surprise, she feels her lips curl into a smirk despite it hurting her face to do so. "All of this death really has a way with ruining your mind, doesn't it..." She mutters as she watches Noah depart. Questions towards this newcomer's intention would have to be answered another time. Instead, she turns her gaze to Khitti; she had no way of telling from a glance whether her fiancé had made her way to Khitti in the dreamscape yet, but like Kasyr's pointed notes about wavering loyalties, this was not the place to ask. Instead, she offers thanks to the Catalan woman and a pointed glare at Kasyr before following the trail of dejected semi-heroes back to the inn.

Khitti’s line of sight locked onto Krice as the grey-haired male made it a point to bring up the look Kasyr had and the obviousness that there was something left unsaid. And so for once, she decided to lean into that high rank of hers, a scowl on her face for the warrior. “The topic that has been left unsaid is classified.” She spit at the ground after he took off into the sky, her attention returning then to Kasyr, “Valrae needs me in Cenril. As does my family. And eventually I have to tend to some things with the Necromancer’s Guild. You know how to get a hold of me though. We’ll sort things out regarding the guild restructuring and all that soon.” She turned to head back to the fort, but then stopped, put her fingers to her lips, and let out a sharp whistle. From out of the shadows leapt her massive sabercat and Khitti was soon crawling atop it. “Camina, have my stuff sent home.” The half-elf nodded and headed towards the fort as Khitti returned her attention briefly to the revenant again. “Forward the paperwork to Cenril if you want. I’ll do it while I’m there.” And that was the last she’d say for now before heading towards the side of the mountain, where her cat would descend down the side of it as it always did.